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The New York Times carried a story this morning that the YMCA is changing its name formally to just the Y. While the article cites several good reasons for doing so, I can’t help feeling a little sadness at seeing yet another venerable institution purge itself of references to its Christian beginnings. Founded in 1844 by George Williams as “a refuge of Bible study and prayer for young men seeking escape from the hazards of life on the streets,” the YMCA came to the United States in 1851 and now serves thousands of men and women every year. But along the way it has lost its spiritual purpose and become a health and fitness club.